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Durham Hang Onto Playoff Status With Fingernails After Share Of The Points With Aurora

08/19/2018, 11:30am EDT

By Laura Walker

Durham United FA women's team hosted Aurora FC at the Pickering Soccer Centre on Friday for their final game of the season, and a match that Durham really needed a result from to guarantee post-season playoff standing. But Aurora were not going be beaten easily...

Aurora dominated the first half, keeping the ball in Durham's end. Aurora's midfield was making it very difficult for Durham to get a ball through to their strikers. Durham was able to get a few shots off, but Aurora was dominating most of the possession.

Just seconds into the second half, the referee played advantage following a tackle on Gosse, giving the ball to Tamburro (46'). Tamburro took a powerful shot from outside the 18-yard box that sailed into the top right corner. It was Tamburro's fifth goal of the season.

But Aurora quickly came back with a goal of their own, scored by Yasmeen Al-Kas (55') as she deftly tipped it passed the keeper.

In the 56th minute Aurora player Bejleri received a yellow card following a tackle in Durham's end. In the 68th minute Durham player Mitchell received a caution for dissent.

Durham United's presence and momentum grew throughout the half, as did the tension.

In the 79th minute two Durham players received cautions, one to M. Hoekstra for a late tackle and the other goes to Babut for dissent.

The fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes added but neither team could break the deadlock in this 1-1 draw.

Aurora FC finish the season in 11th position with eight points and a record of 2-8-2.

Durham currently occupy the fourth and final playoff spot with 23 points and a record of 7-3-1. However, fifth place side Oakville Blue Devils are only one point behind Durham and will play third place team Woodbridge Strikers - who have already guaranteed playoff status - on Sunday August 19 (5:45 p.m.) at Vaughan Grove, Woodbridge.

Oakville must win this match to progress to the post-season as a draw would hand Durham a playoff spot due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.